Battlers can win at the country course

On Wednesday at the country course, two horses who should be well suited to the track are the battlers Caprice Des Dieux (Race 4) and Exclusive Knight (Race 5).

Neither of these two modest performers would rate a second glance normally, but both hold big winning chances at this meeting.

Caprice Des Dieux did not show her usual fight-back qualities with jockey Andrew Fortune aboard last time but should do better with jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe up as he knows this filly well and could use start-to-finish tactics from a good draw.

Two-year-old Speedball looks the most likely threat but fans should monitor the betting on the two Justin Snaith-trained debutantes, Fraternize and Neoma.

Exclusive Knight races off a low 58 merit rating but has consistent recent form and the Piet Steyn-trained four-year-old had some of these opponents behind him over this 2000m at Kenilworth last time.

Jockey Richard Fourie is back riding at the top of his game and it will not be easy to pass Exclusive Knight in this short straight.

The battle for the minor places should be competitive with all of River Blaze, Chief Pilot, Regal Ruler, Waterways, Gull Rock and Natural Beauty having place chances.

Race 6, a large-field MR 72 Handicap over 1600m could provide an upset but there are some three-year-olds in the line-up who could be worth watching in the future.

Buffalo Trip, who seems to be getting the hang of racing; Bruno, who has ability but returns from a long rest, Our Icon, who posted an easy last-start win but who is drawn deep in stall No 13 and Blue Eyed Boy, who has been crying out for this type of trip are on the shortlist.

Dean Kannemeyer-trained Blackmore (Race 7) was a surprise winner of his last start but that was eye-catching and, with course experience, he could follow up from a good draw.

His main danger is Line Break but that gelding disappointed in his only race round a turn.